And it has emerged that the Wokingham and District CAB deals with more debt-related queries than any other bureau in Berkshire.

In addition, senior advisors say there is a "hidden homeless" problem in the district, mainly affecting the under-25s.

The bureau says it has received 23,000 enquiries overall since January this year, with almost a third — 6,961 — about debt management.

Advisors also helped 65 homeless people and another 403 threatened with homelessness during this period.

Peter Hewitson, the bureau's debt advice manager, said consumer and debt problems appeared to be ongoing — 33 per cent of all enquiries made during the financial year 2000 to 2001 came from people facing cash crises.

The total value of the bureau's clients' debts was £1,264,858 during this time.

Mr Hewitson estimated the average amount owed by people in Wokingham could be as much as £13,000.

He said: "We get a lot of people in trouble with huge amounts of credit — perhaps they have just spent too much on credit cards.

"People just overstretch themselves a bit and all of their creditors have gone to debt collectors, threatening county court actions.

"We're beginning to see more well off people coming to us for advice.

"As we see the IT industry under more and more pressure in this area, we are seeing more and more people.

"Say, for example, you are an IT sales manager earning £80,000, you may have £30,000 on your credit cards.

"You may be forced to take a less well-paid job, but of course, your debt remains the same."

Debt advisers have so far dealt with 529 queries from people struggling to pay their rent or mortgage.

Mr Hewitson added that many of the cases had a dramatic twist, with people phoning to say they were going to have their house repossessed the following day.

Deputy manager Sylvia Haslam blamed the "hidden homeless" phenomenon on the astronomical cost of housing in the Wokingham district.

She said: "People have bigger costs.

"Once they get any sort of hiccup, such as redundancy or illness, their base starts to diminish, making it more difficult to manage debts.

"The cost of housing, whether you rent or buy, is huge."

Senior advisors at the bureau said the majority of people seeking advice on homelessness were aged under 25.

"Despite the fact that the area is affluent, young people are evicted by parents and step-parents or find it impossible to continue to live with parents.

"Rented accommodation is scarce and very expensive and the availability of accommodation for young homeless people in the Seaford Court Hostel is unfortunately very limited."

The bureau also tries to influence social policy by passing statistical information to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which advises Government and other institutions.

Wokingham and District CAB has called for fairer treatment for tenants facing eviction for rent arrears, set up a youth homelessness questionnaire, and submitted evidence on consumer issues, which might be used to formulate a Government Consumer Bill.

From April 1 last year to March 31 this year, the bureau received 29,483 enquiries overall and dealt with 14,941 clients.